Response of the Belousov–Zhabotinskii oscillating reaction to addition of either bromide or cerium(IV) ions

Abstract

When the Belousov–Zhabotinskii oscillating reaction is perturbed by rapid addition of bromide ions, the oscillations disappear but then recover. The time taken for this recovery depends on the extent of concentration perturbation, but the new frequency and amplitude of oscillation closely resemble the frequency and amplitude before perturbation. These observations show that this oscillating chemical reaction follows a limit cycle type of behaviour. A similar pattern is observed when solutions containing cerium(IV) ions are rapidly added to the oscillating reaction, although there is a more marked change in frequency and amplitude. The experimental results are compared with the results obtained from a numerical analysis of the effects of similar perturbations on the oscillations for two model schemes of oscillating reactions.